guest: iran and russia remain friends. they have provided financial support, logistical support through the revolutionary guard corps. there are members in syria reportedly fighting alongside or at least helping to train paramilitary forces and some of the more brutish violence of the security forces. they have also provided technical support in terms of internet capabilities and so forth so they're playing a very important role in supporting the regime. host: joining us from beirut via skype, patrick mcdonnell. of which turned a corner with regard to the situation in syria? -- have we turned a corner dark? guest: it seems to be an important juncture or perhaps a crossroads. turning a corner may be a bit far. president assaad still has substantial military capabilities and he still has control of the capital, so it's hard to say what direction they're going to go on at this point. they have gained territory, got a better weapons, and it seems clear they have gotten some air missiles and they are taking out helicopters and